The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-07-28
INTERSTATE DRILL.
Active Interest Awakened in the
Enterprise.
A Plan Of Operations Outlined
Showing the Work to be
Done.

The military encampment and
interstate drill which it is pro-
posed shall be given in this
city, continues to attract attention.
The matter has been taken in hand by
several of the business men of the city,
and all who have been interviewed on the
subject have regarded it so favorably that
after visit to Galveston and Houston by
one of the gentlemen interested, to learn
something of the encampments held
there, the following plan of action, de-
vised by Capt. A. L. Patrick, has been
presented:
Some time ago General King stated that
General Stanley had told him that if Aus
tin could secure the next state encamp-
ment, that it would be in his power and
would give him great pleasure to have the
regulars better represented at this place
than ever before at any other, and that he
would be better able to bring them into
camp in true army style, marching them
overland across the country, all arms of
the service being represented, comprising
the battery of flying artillery, of San
Antonio; a battalion of cavalry and a
forts out west. He also said that he would
send the Eighth cavalry band.
This in itself was conceived to be a
great attraction, and one by one other
things suggested themselves, until sum
mary of attractions was arrived at, as
follows:
A large representation by the United
States army, commanded by General
Stanley.
The attendance of the six regiments OF
Texas Volunteer Guards five infantry and
one cavalry amounting to nearly sixty
companies.
The attendance of the battalion OF
cadets of the Agricultural and Mechanical
college, composed of four companies, com
manded by Lieut.. Guy Carleton, U. s. A.
The attendance of at least ten famous
companies from the different states.
The attendance of two or more zouave
COMPANIES and several artillery compa-
MES.
A grand reunion of the ex- cadets, both
of the Agricultural and Mechanical college
and Texas Military institute, many OF
whom are at present serving in the Texas
Volunteer Guard.
Also, many other attractions will be
from time to time devised. Austin her
self will be represented in the military
Zine as follows:
Austin Greys and Texas Rifles, and &
cavalry company, now in process of or
ganization; also, an infantry company
composed of the representative young
men of the city, the major portion o.
whom have had long experience in drill
ing, and they will organize at once ant
get to work, so as to stand good chance
in the interstate drill to take big prize
The drill will be held in May 1SS8,as thu
weather will be most suitable fol
the overland travelling of the
United States regulars; and as there viii
be an interstate drill during that month
at Montgomery, Ala, so this drill being
given near the same time, interstate com
panies can attend both places; also, be-
cause the Agricultural and Mechanical
college cadets can get off easier during
that month, and because it will not b'
dusty and too warm to drill.
The programme will consist in the usua
competitive company, artillery and indi
vidual drills, to which will be added thu
special features of battalion, regimenta
and brigade drills and parades.
The street parade will be the grandes
thing Austin ever witnessed, and thu
grand sham battle will be participated il
by five regiments of state troops, ont
regiment of troops from other states ont
regiment of cavalry, and one regiment O.
United States infantry, and several ar
tillery companies.
The Eighth Cavalry and other band
will discourse music, and pyrotechnic dis
plays, open air dancing and balls will b.
the order of the evenings.
These attractions, added to the fac
that the new capitol will be finished il
all of its splendor, will attract an immens
coneourse of people from all over tn
state to see our beautiful city, and it il
safe to say that between 100000 ant
100000 will be spent in tie city of Aus
tin by the visitors. People are beginning
10 recognize the fact that there is NOR
money in an encampment for city thai
in any other enterprise.
Every militiaman in the state to whom
this has been spoken has expressed him
self as pleased with the idea of coming I,
Austin, and so it is with large numbe
of citizens throughout the entire state
and of people outside of the state. The
will avail themselves of this opportunit
to visit Austin, the capital of Texas. l
is estimated it will take $4,000 to run tn
encam pment here, which sum must b
raised by means of stock company, tn
shares of which will be place
at the sum of ten dol
lars each, within the reach of all. A sub
scription list will be opened within fe,
days, and those desiring stock will plac
the number of shares opposite thei
names, and when a sufficient number ha
been taken a meeting will be called, an
an organization effected, board of di
rectors and other officers elected, whe
stock will be issued, committees appointed
and then We will all get down to worl
Galveston and Houston both adopted thi
plan of Joint stock companies. The Ga
weston encampment last year brough
half million dollars to that plac,
besides which all the stockholders got a
their money back and declared dividend
The gate receipts one day were owe
$4,000. At the state drill at Horston las
month the stockholders got all of thei
money back and declared a dividend be
sides, which, they assert, would have bee
very large had it not been for those soak
ing rains, which makes Houston SO mudd,
and which drove the soldiers from thei
camp and kept the people at home.
An additional list will be circulated 70
-